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North Texans Helping Loved Ones After Philippine Typhoon

MESQUITE (CBS 11 NEWS) – North Texans are doing their part to help loved ones in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Bing Pineda, whose brother, sister and extended family all live in the Philippines, said she can hardly sleep knowing the struggles her family members are going through in the storm-ravaged country. “My heart bleeds for those people.”

With power lines and cell towers down, communication is spotty and difficult.

Pineda was able to see photos of the destruction via her nephew’s Facebook page.

The biggest challenge for survivors right now is gathering supplies, including food, water, clothing and other basic necessities.

“All he was saying was, ‘We need more help, we need more contributions. We need somebody to donate, more donations,'” Pineda said.

Right now, Pineda believes anything will help. “For starters, he said maybe only nails so they can start putting their houses together,” she said.

With a large Filipino congregation, Divine Mercy of Lord Catholic Community Church in Mesquite is accepting donations of clothing and canned food to send to the most ravaged areas.

The American Red Cross says the best way to help is through monetary donations. With the money their ground crews in the Philippines can stimulate the local economy by buying relief supplies in bulk, in country and distributing them from there.

Donations are accepted at any local Red Cross, and online or by text at 90999.

Those who have not yet heard from loved ones can ask the Red Cross to start a tracing case. Ground crews in the Philippines will help track missing relatives.

In the meantime, North Texans are praying for all those affected and doing their part to their community.

“I know that they have great faith in the Lord,” Pineda said. “It’s time for giving, giving back to our community.”